PM Imran discusses bilateral, economic ties with Saudi King, Crown Prince

JEDDAH: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday held a meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Jeddah, where he was presented with a guard of honor and a state banquet was hosted for him and his entourage.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Daud, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hasham bin Siddique were also present on the occasion.

In the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relationship, regional and global political situation and the issues confronting Muslim Ummah. They expressed their desire to further enhance and diversify bilateral cooperation and to continue close coordination on issues of mutual interest.

During the visit, the prime minister also held a meeting with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The two leaders held detailed discussions on ways to strengthen bilateral relationship and on the regional political and security situation.

They exchanged ideas on enhancing cooperation in political, defense, economic, commercial and cultural sectors, developing joint ventures in line with their respective developmental needs, strengthening collaboration in human resource sector and addressing the issues faced by Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their historical and brotherly ties, rooted in bonds of common religion, shared culture and values, and quest for regional and global peace and security. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the convergence of views on a host of regional and global issues.

Based on their decades old fraternal ties, both countries expressed complete solidarity with each other in their efforts at preserving their sovereignty and territorial integrity and reaffirmed to stand by each other at all times.

Pakistan commends leadership of Saudi Crown Prince

Pakistan praised the Saudi leadership on a smooth and successful organisation of Hajj this year, and acknowledged the eminent position of respect and reverence for King Salman. It also commended the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman which was leading Saudi Arabia towards a modern and developed economy.

The Saudi leadership congratulated Pakistan on its successful democratic transition, in a peaceful and fair manner, and felicitated the prime minister on his election.

Appreciating the prime minister’s ideal of transforming his country into a welfare state based on Islamic socio-economic principles, the Saudi leadership assured Pakistan of its maximum assistance.

PM Imran Khan briefed the Saudi leadership on Pakistan’s successes and sacrifices in its fight against terrorism, highlighting the role of actors trying to destabilise Pakistan. He strongly rejected the efforts to promote religious extremism, sectarianism and terrorism.

The Saudi leadership apprised the prime minister of the steps taken to curb extremism and terrorism, and shared views on the forces spreading extremist ideologies in the region. The two countries acknowledged each other’s efforts and sacrifices and pledged to continue their partnership to defeat the scourge of extremism and terrorism.

Need to promote peace and security

They agreed on the need to promote peace and security to ensure progress, development and prosperity, and also agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, as well as their collaboration at the regional and multilateral forums.

PM Imran informed the Saudi leadership about the plight of the Muslims of Indian Occupied Kashmir, suffering grievous human rights violations. Mentioning the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, he stressed the need for Islamic solidarity and unity in raising the issue forcefully at the UN Human Rights Council.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the just struggle of the Palestinian people to restore their rights and achieve the independence of the state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

They also stressed that the international community must respect the just struggle of the people living under foreign occupation and the legitimate right to self-determination, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

With a view to developing tangible and meaningful bilateral cooperation in key areas, the two countries agreed to intensify consultations and coordination in order to strengthen their strategic partnership.

PM Imran invited the King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to Pakistan at an early date, which was graciously accepted by the Saudi leadership.

Meeting with Saudi energy minister, OIC Secretary General

Earlier, PM Imran held a meeting with Saudi Minister for Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih and discussed matters related to bilateral trade and investment between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Head of Saudi Public Investment Fund Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Adviser Saudi Cabinet’s General Secretariat Ahmed Al-Khatib also joined the meeting, held at the King Faisal Palace in Jeddah.

The prime minister also met with Secretary General of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Yousef Al-Othaimeen and discussed matters of bilateral interest and challenges confronting Muslim Ummah.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan alongwith his delegation performed Umrah in Makkah as the door of Khana-e-Kaaba was specially opened in a sign of respect for the visiting dignitaries. Previously, soon after arriving at Madinah, the prime minister paid respects at Prophet’s Mosque (SAW) before leaving the Red Sea city of Jeddah.